Med. praxi. 2026;23(1):17-21 | DOI: 10.36290/med.2026.003

Vegetarianism and veganism - what's the right attitude?

Mgr. Martin Krobot, Ph.D.¹, Mgr. Marina Jeřábková^{2, 3}, MUDr. Eliška Selinger, MSc^{2, 4, 5}

¹ Ústav veřejného zdraví, Lékařská fakulta, Masarykova univerzita, Brno

² Centrum podpory veřejného zdraví, Státní zdravotní ústav, Praha

³ Ústav hygieny, 3. lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Karlova, Praha

⁴ Oddělení epidemiologie a biostatistiky, 3. lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Karlova, Praha

⁵ Centrum pro otázky životního prostředí, Univerzita Karlova, Praha

Plant-based diets are gaining popularity due to health, environmental and ethical factors, and an increasingly broad segment of the Czech population is adopting them. Evidence shows that a well-planned plant-based diet can offer substantial health benefits, especially in preventing non-communicable diseases, and can be appropriate across all life stages with adequate supplementation. Poorly planned plant-based diets, however, may pose nutritional risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women. Recent position statements increasingly recognise plant-based diets as suitable, while emphasising the need for supervision in vulnerable populations. Limited nutrition education among healthcare professionals may lead to prejudice, incorrect assumptions and loss of patient trust. Qualitative research shows that vegans often encounter having their concerns attributed a priori to their diet and may hide their veganism. Conversely, respectful communication and basic nutrition competence improve cooperation. The authors recommend a factual, non-dogmatic approach, individualised risk assessment and involving dietitians to support safe implementation of plant-based diets.

Keywords: vegetarian diet, veganism, plant-based diet, attitude of health personnel.

Received: December 1, 2025; Revised: January 13, 2026; Accepted: January 21, 2026; Published: March 3, 2026  Show citation